Ten tips to stop your dog from eating his poop

I know, it is so gross to even think about or to even witness.  But dogs do eat poop and there are ways to prevent that from happening.  Luckily for me, my dog stopped eating her own poop when she was a year old.  Now she just poops then sniffs it.  I think that is disgusting, too.  But I guess it is because she wants to check her poop.  No clue, but it is gross.  

Here are ten tips to stop your dog from eating his poop.

* Puppies may eat poop to get your attention, which means even yelling rewards their behavior.  If you catch Fido in the act, do not make eye contact or speak to him.  Instead shake a can full of pennies or clap your hands to make a noise to make a noise to interrupt him.

*  For bored puppies, increase playtime to a minimum of twenty minutes aerobic exercise twice a day.  Increase the number of toys to keep your puppy busy when you are away if he is left in the yard.  A treat-spiked toy, such as a Kong, filled with peanut butter offers a tastier, healthier alternative.

*  Prevent access by walking your puppy on a leash and leading him away once he is done.  Reward him for leaving stools alone.  Teach him to "come" and sit in front of you after each bowel movement, his or other dogs, and give him a fantastic treat while you pick up the waste.

*  Some dogs may eat their own stool when it has not thoroughly "processed".  A more digestible food may help.  Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.  You will need to make a gradual change in the food or the sudden change could prompt.

*  Make the stool unappealing by adding a spoonful of pineapple, canned pumpkin, or spinach to your dog's meal.  Include a dash of MSG in the food, which changes the consistency so dogs will not find the poop as appealing.  Commercial products, like For-bid, may help.

*  Scoop and clean the cat box as often as possible.  Leaving droppings any length of time asks for trouble.  Automatic cat boxes sweep the feces into a bin within ten minutes of the cat's deposit.

*  Place the litter box on a table or counter out of dog's reach.  If the cat does not object, a covered litter box might deter the dog but allow the cat access and privacy.

*  Use a baby gate to keep the dog out of the cat's domain.  Some cats can jump over the standard gates, or you can install it a couple of inches off the ground so your cat can crawl underneath while your puppy can not.

*  Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the cat's food so her poop becomes softer and less attractive to snacking dogs.  A spoonful of canned pumpkin added to her food also changes the taste or consistency of her poop to make it less appealing, and many cats relish pumpkin as a treat.

*  Finally, if all else fails, and you are not around, put a muzzle on your dog.  (Side note: I am not a fan of muzzling your pets, as I see that as a bad idea.  Your dog may think they did something wrong if you put a muzzle on him.)